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Development and Comparative Analysis of Wind-Tunnel Test Setups for Inter-Turbine Duct Studies
No full textThis thesis documents the design efforts of two experimental test setups, a high-speed annular-flow test section and a low-speed rectilinear configuration, in support of gas turbine flow investigations with an immediate focus on intermediate turbine duct (ITD) aerodynamics. The annular test section integrates with the air-supply system of the blow-down wind tunnel at Carleton University for the study of annular ducted flows at Mach numbers corresponding to the compressible subsonic flow range. An ITD specimen is designed for commissioning of the annular test section to confirm its suitability for such a test specimen geometry. To support this ITD research, a rectilinear ITD test specimen is designed for the purpose of obtaining flow measurements with higher spatial resolution than is possible on the high-speed wind tunnel. A CFD-based investigation is performed to evaluate the suitability of the complementary use of annular and rectilinear experimental setups for the study of ITD aerodynamics
Une perspective neurodivergente : Pratiques recommandées pour l’inclusion de la neurodiversité : Rapport final de recherche
No full textLeveraging Language Models to Improve Code Quality Through Code Linting and Automated Test Repair
No full textThis thesis aims to evaluate how well Language Models (LMs) can help to improve code quality through two tasks: code linting and automated test repair. Code linters identify issues in code, but are often specialized and limited to certain issues. This thesis aims to use LMs to create a code linting approach that can replicate the results of applying multiple code linters. After training LMs on a dataset of code issues, the models achieved 84.9% accuracy in issue detection and 83.6% accuracy in issue identification, outperforming two popular code linters. Automatically repairing test cases helps code quality by allowing developers to focus on code rather than false test failures. LMs are trained to repair broken tests based on changes to the underlying code. LMs are able to repair tests with a 66.1% exact match rate, and a 80.0% plausible repair, showing that LMs can effectively repair test cases
Systematic in vitro optimization of antimicrobial peptides against Escherichia coli
Get PDFObjectives Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern and claims over 1 million lives per year. The discovery of new antimicrobial drugs is expensive and often generates low profitability, with very low success rates. One way to combat this is by the improvement of known antimicrobials, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The aim of this study was to improve the antimicrobial activities of two known AMPs, UyCT3 and indolicidin, with the use of peptide libraries and growth curves. Methods Peptide permutation libraries were synthesized for two AMPs, indolicidin and UyCT3, which included 520 peptides. These peptides were subsequently tested against MG1655-K12, to which subsequent peptide design was performed, then tested against three clinically Gram-negative relevant drug-resistant isolates. Best-performing candidates were subjected to a haemolysis assay for toxicity validation. Results Single amino acid permutations of UyCT3 and indolicidin were sufficient to inhibit growth of MG1655-K12, and subsequent generations of peptide design were able to inhibit growth of clinical isolates at concentrations as low as 5 µM. Our best-performing AMP, UyCT3I5A, W6Y, K10I, F13I, was not seen to be toxic towards sheep RBCs. Conclusions The efficacy of the AMPs improved with the use of our peptide library technology, whereby an AMP was found that inhibited bacterial growth of clinical Gram-negative isolates 4-fold better than its WT counterpart
Air pollution and neurological diseases, current state highlights
Get PDFThis paper delves into the increasingly recognized yet complex relationship between air pollution and Neurological Diseases. Although the detrimental effects of air pollution on respiratory and cardiovascular health are well-documented, its impact on neurological and cognitive disorders is an emerging area of concern. In this mini review, we explore the intricate mechanisms by which various air pollutants, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, contribute to neurological pathologies. The focus lies on the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in exacerbating conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. By unraveling these connections, the paper sheds light on the broader implications of environmental factors on neurological health and underscores the urgent need for policy interventions to mitigate air pollution’s impact on the nervous system
Longitudinal Problematic Social Media Use in Students and Its Association with Negative Mental Health Outcomes
Get PDFPurpose: Social media has become increasingly part of our everyday lives and is influential in shaping the habits, sociability, and mental health of individuals, particularly among students. This study aimed to examine the relationship between changes over time in problematic social media use and mental health outcomes in students. We also investigated whether resilience and loneliness moderated the relationship between social media use and mental health. Patients and Methods: A total of 103 participants completed a baseline virtual study visit, and 78 participants completed a follow-up visit, 4-weeks later. Participants completed a comprehensive set of questionnaires measuring symptoms of depression and anxiety, perceived stress, loneliness, and resilience. Results: Our results showed that problematic social media use at baseline was significantly negatively correlated with resilience and positively correlated with all other mental health outcomes. Furthermore, increases in problematic social media use were significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms and loneliness between visits. Resilience significantly moderated the relationship between increased problematic social media use and heightened perceived stress. Poor mental health at baseline did not predict increased problematic social media use over time. Contrarily to problematic use, frequency of social media use was not significantly correlated with any mental health measures at baseline. Conclusion: This study offers a longitudinal perspective, providing valuable insights into the potential protective role of resilience against the detrimental mental health effects seen with increases in problematic social media use
In vitro modulation of mTOR and mGlur5 influence α-synuclein accumulation
Get PDFOne of the main hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is abnormal alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation which forms the main component of intracellular Lewy body inclusions. This short report used preformed α-syn fibrils, as well as an A53T mutant α-syn adenovirus to mimic conditions of pathological protein aggregation in dopaminergic human derived SH-SY5Y neural cells. Since there is evidence that the mTOR pathway and glutamatergic signaling each influence protein aggregation, we also assessed the impact of the mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin and the mGluR5 allosteric modulator, CTEP. We found that both rapamycin and CTEP induced a significant reduction of α-syn fibrils in SH-SY5Y cells and this effect was associated with a reduction in mTOR signaling and enhancement in autophagic pathway factors. These data support the possibility that CTEP (or rapamycin) might be a useful pharmacological approach to target abnormal α-syn accumulation by promoting intracellular degradation or enhanced clearance
A Critical Discourse Analysis of Birth Tourism Discourse in Canada
No full textMy thesis analyzes the implications of the growing influence of the anti- birth tourism movement and the subsequent construction of the “worthy” immigrant within Canada’s newspaper media. By dissecting local and national media coverage, I argue that media discourses surrounding the arrival and existence of pregnant Chinese migrants, commonly referred to as ‘birth tourists,’ have detrimental effects on the treatment of pregnant Chinese migrants. My media analysis explores how Canada’s media facilitates the narrative of pregnant Chinese migrants as problematic, illegal and undeserving immigrants who come to Canada for the wrong reasons. This is established through discursive strategies and lies in the narrow and Eurocentric understanding of sovereignty, membership, and race. For this reason, my thesis offers an alternative approach to understanding birth tourism discourse in Vancouver and Richmond, and highlights how these ongoing narratives are problematic
The Influence of Manufacturing Method and Collagen on the Mechanical Performance of Sodium Alginate-Based Scaffolds for Cartilage Tissue Engineering
No full textCartilage has limited ability to repair itself making it a good candidate for artificial tissue replacements. Hydrogels such as sodium alginate (SA) have been used in bioprinting and tissue engineering for their favourable properties, however, the mechanical performance of engineered tissue requires improvement. In the present work, the mechanical properties of pure-SA scaffolds were compared with various crosslinking and manufacturing protocols. The results showed that increased amounts of partial crosslinking prior to scaffold fabrication significantly decreased the elastic modulus. This study also showed that the addition of collagen and gelatin significantly decreased the elastic modulus by 42% and 31% respectively. Therefore, pure-SA scaffolds exhibited the most favourable properties with a compressive elastic modulus up to 35.29 kPa and a permeability of 0.3933 x10^-14 m^4/Ns. This study found higher stiffness compared to previous studies, likely due to extended post-print crosslinking time, however additives such as collagen and gelatin decreased the properties
Acoustically mediated risk assessment of eastern tent caterpillars (Malacosoma americanum)
No full textResearch on acoustic defense strategies of caterpillars is lacking. Most known lepidopteran larvae have limited vision and live on a substrate during their larval span. Thus, sounds and/or vibrations of predators could have important roles in risk assessment. This thesis investigated acoustically mediated risk assessment in Eastern tent caterpillars, Malacosoma americanum, which live in colonies on silk tents. Malacosoma americanum responded to acoustic stimuli primarily by flicking, and were most sensitive to low frequency (100-500 Hz) sounds, and sounds and vibrations of certain predators/parasitoids. These results support the hypotheses that tent caterpillars assess risk and respond to acoustic stimuli that they may receive through airborne/vibration borne stimuli. A preliminary study tested the possibility that caterpillars on the tent communicate using vibrations to possibly coordinate group displays. This thesis provides novel insights into the importance of acoustics in caterpillar risk assessment, expanding our understanding of this common forest pest’s sensory world